BISHKEK, 16 September 2011 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission to monitor the 30 October presidential election in Kyrgyzstan.

ODIHR was invited by Kyrgyzstan’s government to observe the election, in line with the country’s commitments as a participating State of the OSCE.

The mission is headed by Corien Jonker and consists of 14 international experts based in Bishkek and 28 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country. In addition, ODIHR has requested 350 short-term observers to monitor election-day proceedings and the counting process.

Observers will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legislative framework, voter registration, the media situation, and the resolution of election disputes.

Short-term observers will be deployed in teams of two throughout the country to monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results at all levels.

The ODIHR election observation mission will join efforts with the delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and other parliamentary delegations. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has appointed Walburga Habsburg Douglas as Special Co-ordinator to lead the OSCE short-term observer mission.

A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the elections.

ODIHR will issue a final report about two months after the end of the electoral process.

The ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek operate separately under their specific mandates.